The glass jar held cement-colored soil. Song He put on silicone gloves and decisively plunged his fingers in to stir it... It was sticky and slightly hard, with a texture remarkably close to ordinary soil!
There was no doubt that the soil in the jar was simulated lunar soil—a high-fidelity product carefully configured according to the composition of actual lunar soil.
The three top scorers' jars were slightly different in color, and the labels indicated that they were simulated lunar soil from different locations on the moon.
"Not bad!" Song He said in pleasant surprise. "Is it still Subspecies 1607?"
"No. We started with Subspecies 1607, but the results weren't good." Ling Yiyi shook her head. "So we tried other subspecies and eventually selected Subspecies 2095, Subspecies 2781, and Subspecies 3000, each suited to simulated lunar soil with different compositions."
"Luckily, we kept samples of every subspecies!" Xia Wansan said with lingering fear. "Teacher, you were right. The actual conditions differ greatly from the laboratory, and it's hard to say which Ling Bacteria subspecies will work. We made several thousand subspecies, so all that work wasn't wasted. No matter the soil quality or climate, screening them will definitely turn up suitable subspecies."
Song He nodded. "Very good. Improve it a little more, and you should be able to send Ling Bacteria to the moon. Achieving such a major accomplishment as undergraduates will secure your positions in the Academic Circle!"
The three top scorers beamed with delight, their cheeks flushed.
"Don't get carried away, either. Many students from prestigious universities participate in space programs as undergraduates. There are experts everywhere, and you'll encounter all kinds of exceptional people in the Academic Circle in the future. Stay humble." Song He said, "During the holidays, professors from other universities come to visit our